Collapsible lamp shade structure

Abstract

A collapsible lamp shade includes a rigid upper structure assembly; a rigid lower structure; a flexible fabric; and, a plurality of plurality of trapezoidal frames. The rigid upper structure assembly includes a rigid upper structure; a plurality of angled arms extending radially inwardly from the rigid upper structure; and a central element. Each angled arm has a first end and a second end. The central element is positioned at a central portion of the rigid upper structure assembly. It secures the first ends of the plurality of angled arms. The second ends of the angled arms have short columns being secured to the rigid upper structure. The short columns are angled upwardly. The flexible fabric joins the rigid upper structure with the rigid lower structure. Each trapezoidal frame has a top parallel edge and a bottom parallel edge. The top parallel edge and bottom parallel edge are joined by side members. The top parallel edge has a notch formed in a section thereof. Users engage the notch with the short column of each angled radial arm when assembling the lamp shade such that the top parallel edge of the trapezoidal frame is positioned under the rigid upper structure.

1 . A collapsible lamp shade, comprising: 
 a) a rigid upper structure;    b) a rigid lower structure;    c) a flexible fabric joining said rigid upper structure with said rigid lower structure;    d) a plurality of trapezoidal frames, each having a top parallel edge and a bottom parallel edge, said top parallel edge and bottom parallel edge being overlapingly joined to a partial section of said rigid upper structure and rigid lower structure, respectively, when assembling the lamp shade;    e) a plurality of angled arms having short columns on one end and radially connecting to said rigid upper structure; and,    f) a notch formed in a section of each said top parallel edges, wherein users can engage the notch with the short column of each angled radial arm when assembling the lamp shade.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of lower structure protrusions along the inner circumference of said rigid lower structure whereby users can secure the trapezoidal frames into position by fitting each of said bottom parallel edges in between a respective protrusion and the edge where the flexible fabric is connected to said rigid lower structure.    
     
     
         3 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 1 , wherein each of said lower structure protrusions is substantially spherical.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 1 , wherein each notch is formed in a midsection of the top parallel edge.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 1 , wherein said lamp shade is formed having a relatively cylindrical design, said rigid upper structure being formed as a circular ring, said lower structure being formed as a circular ring, said top and bottom parallel edges of said basically trapezoidal frames being arc-shaped to conform with said rigid ring-shaped upper and lower structures when joining said trapezoidal frames to said rigid upper and lower structures during assembly of the lamp shade.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 1 , wherein each short column comprises a leg of a v-shaped structure at said second end of each angled arm.  
     
     
         7 . A collapsible lamp shade, comprising: 
 a) a rigid upper structure assembly, comprising: 
 i. a rigid upper structure;  
 ii. a plurality of angled arms extending radially inwardly from said rigid upper structure, each angled arm having a first end and a second end; and,  
 iii. a central element positioned at a central portion of said rigid upper structure assembly for securing said first ends of said plurality of angled arms, said second ends of said angled arms having short columns being secured to said rigid upper structure, said short columns being angled upwardly;  
   b) a rigid lower structure including a plurality of lower structure attachment members;    c) a flexible fabric joining said rigid upper structure with said rigid lower structure; and,    d) a plurality of trapezoidal frames, each having a top parallel edge and a bottom parallel edge, said lower structure attachment members for engaging said bottom parallel edge upon assembly, said top parallel edge and bottom parallel edge being joined by side members, said top parallel edge having a notch formed in a section thereof, wherein users can engage the notch with the short column of each angled radial arm when assembling the lamp shade such that said top parallel edge of said trapezoidal frame is positioned under said rigid upper structure.    
     
     
         8 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 7 , wherein each said notch is formed in a side of said top parallel edge.  
     
     
         9 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 7 , wherein said lower structure attachment members comprise a plurality of lower structure protrusions along the inner circumference of said rigid lower structure whereby users can secure the trapezoidal frames into position by fitting each of said bottom parallel edges in between a respective protrusion and the edge where the flexible fabric is connected to said rigid lower structure.  
     
     
         10 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 7 , wherein said rigid upper structure and said rigid lower structure are circular.  
     
     
         11 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 7 , wherein each notch is formed in a midsection of the top parallel edge.  
     
     
         12 . The collapsible lamp shade of  claim 7 , wherein each short column comprises a leg of a v-shaped structure at said second end of each angled arm.  
     
     
         13 . A method for assembling a collapsible lamp shade, comprising: 
 a) providing a collapsible lamp shade, said collapsible lamp shade, comprising: 
 i. a rigid upper structure assembly, comprising: 
 1. a rigid upper structure;  
 2. a plurality of angled arms extending radially inwardly from said rigid upper structure, each angled arm having a first end and a second end; and,  
 3. a central element positioned at a central portion of said rigid upper structure assembly for securing said first ends of said plurality of angled arms, said second ends of said angled arms having short columns being secured to said rigid upper structure, said short columns being angled upwardly;  
 
 ii. a rigid lower structure including a plurality of lower structure attachment members;  
 iii. a flexible fabric joining said rigid upper structure with said rigid lower structure; and,  
 iv. a plurality of trapezoidal frames, each having a top parallel edge and a bottom parallel edge, said lower structure attachment members for engaging said bottom parallel edge upon assembly, said top parallel edge and bottom parallel edge being joined by side members, said top parallel edge having a notch formed in a section thereof;  
   b) engaging a notch of a first of said plurality of trapezoidal frames with a short column of a first of said plurality of said angled arms such that said top parallel edge of said trapezoidal frame is positioned under said rigid upper structure;    c) engaging a bottom parallel edge of said first trapezoidal frame with selected lower structure attachment members; and,    d) repeating steps b) and c) above for the remainder of said trapezoidal frames.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of providing a collapsible lamp shade, comprises providing a collapsible lamp shade wherein each said notch is formed in a side of each respective top parallel edge.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of providing a collapsible lamp shade, comprises providing a collapsible lamp shade wherein said lower structure attachment members comprise a plurality of lower structure protrusions along the inner circumference of said rigid lower structure whereby users can secure the trapezoidal frames into position by fitting each of said bottom parallel edges in between a respective protrusion and the edge where the flexible fabric is connected to said rigid lower structure.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of providing a collapsible lamp shade, comprises providing a collapsible lamp shade wherein said rigid upper structure and said rigid lower structure are circular.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of providing a collapsible lamp shade, comprises providing a collapsible lamp shade wherein each notch is formed in a midsection of the top parallel edge.